Things to do in the U.P.: Channel your inner Batman at the Millie Hill Bat Cave

Editor's note: This blog post originally appeared on the Things To Do In The Upper Peninsula blog, which is just getting started but is already showcasing some great things to do in the U.P. From time to time, with permission from Things To Do In The Upper Peninsula, U.P. Second Wave will be republishing some of the blog's posts. This week's post can be found in original form here.

The Millie Hill Bat Cave is one of the prime attractions in the Iron Mountain area. But most people don’t what I’m about to tell you, so they miss out on the awesome bat viewing action.

Passing cars often brake as they pass the "Bat Viewing Area" sign in town. Many of them don’t actually stop, but it’s enough to get their attention.

"Huh? Bats? What?" they likely mutter as they drive on.

And on my frequent walks up the Millie Hill trail, I’ll often encounter a group of people perched on the bat viewing benches. As they stare longingly at the cage surrounding the entrance to the old Millie Mine, I try to sneak past them unnoticed.

But as they’re just sitting there staring at a motionless metal cage and I look like maybe I know where I’m going, all eyes inevitably turn to me as I start up the trail. It’s an awkward moment.

"Hey! When do the bats come out?" they’ll inquire.

"April," I’ll say, which always begets disappointed groans.

"Really?" someone will ask.

"Really really," I say, banking that they’ve all seen "Shrek." "They hibernate down there from around September to April every year. So spring and fall are the best time to see them." (For the record, it does say this on one of the nearby signs.)

"Thanks," the leader of the bunch will say, moping back to his car as if I just took away his birthday. I could tell them about the great view that lies just a little up the trail. Or I could encourage them to come back in September when the place is teaming with bats. I’ve tried these things, but it’s no use, they’re officially bummed.

Sometimes I play dumb and say I don’t know when the bats come out. But then I feel bad because the poor people just keep sitting there, waiting. And waiting…

Do you see my dilemma here?

And hey, if I stared at a metal cage for an hour hoping to see a bunch of bats, only to have those hopes crushed by some random guy with a camera, I’d be bummed too. I get it.

So, lesson learned here, right folks? The last few warm days of September or the first few warm days of April will usually get you a piece of the bat viewing awesomeness, but that’s it. They bug out in summer and they’re down there sleeping in the winter.

Cool? Cool.

Now next time I see people up there waiting to see the bats in July I can just hand them a business card, smile, and ask them to read this post.

To see more photos of the Millie Hill bat viewing area, click here to access my Facebook page and then browse to the "Millie Hill Bat Cave" photo album. (You’ll need to "like" the page first if you haven’t already).

Bottom Line: The Millie Hill Bat Viewing Site is definitely worth a stop, you just need to time your visit in accordance with the bat’s migration patterns.

Time Required: 15 minutes to 1 hour.

How to Get There: From downtown Iron Mountain, drive up East A Street and make a left on Park Street. Then make a quick left at the "Bat Viewing Area" sign to the trailhead.

To see the Millie Hill Bat Cave’s location on my map of the Upper Peninsula, click here.